12 August 2025

As a new era dawns for Eastbourne Theatres with Trafalgar Entertainment, the theatre is teaming up with Visit Eastbourne and the iconic Jet Pitts aerobatic team to literally launch their new season into the skies above East Sussex as part of Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow 2025 (14-17 August).

The Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park and Winter Garden recently announced a stellar line-up of world-beating, internationally renowned musicals and drama including Fiddler on the Roof, Top Hat, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, To Kill a Mockingbird and Rocky Horror Show to name a few.

Helping the theatres get off to a flying start with this new era is experienced Pilot Rich Goodwin who is electrifying European air shows with a unique aircraft.

At the controls of his Jet Pitts G-JPIT, Rich, a former Royal Air Force Tornado pilot and Boeing 767 captain, will fly his Fiddler on the Roof emblazoned plane above Eastbourne throughout the airshow weekend.

Jet Pitts Pilot Rich Goodwin said: “I’m looking forward to working with the team behind Fiddler on the Roof and Eastbourne Theatres on an ambitious and creative project that will bring the skies to the stage, and the spotlight to the skies! We will be proudly displaying the logos on the Jet Pitts, as we bring some theatrical flair to the air.”

Sir Howard Panter, Joint CEO Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “Trafalgar isn’t just hosting shows at the theatres, we’re making a bold statement of commitment to fully integrate the theatres into the cultural and entertainment landscape of Eastbourne.

“We wanted to launch this new era for Eastbourne Theatres in spectacular style, and what better way to do that than to team up with Pilot Rich Goodwin and the incredible Jet Pitts.

“As one of the biggest and most anticipated air shows in Europe, we’re taking flight with this exciting partnership and Trafalgar is proud to be a Gold Sponsor for this year’s unmissable event.”

The cast of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and stars from Eastbourne Theatre’s production of The Play What I Wrote including Michael Praed, Sue Holderness, and Joe Pasquale will also be attending the airshow over the weekend to take in the spectacular sights.

Airbourne is one of Europe’s biggest free seafront airshows and attracts huge crowds along the 2-mile flying display line on Eastbourne seafront.

Trafalgar Theatres is proud to be the Gold Sponsor for the 2025 Visit Eastbourne event.